Exmouth (Western Australia)
Exmouth is a small town in Western Australia, halfway between Perth and Broome a good base to visit the Cape Range National Park and dive on the nearby Ningaloo Reef. Understand[edit]Exmouth is pronounced "EX-MOUTH" - without shortening the vowel sound. Exmouth is a small town of around 2500 people, with a population that doubles with the temporary workforce associated with the 4 month tourist season. It has supermarkets, coffee shops, dive shops and a couple of fashion stores. It is surrounded by endless beaches, national parks, and arid beauty. You can always find a beach and a reef to have nearly to yourself. Even in the peak tourist season it has a sleepy small town feel. Outside of the tourist season it is even quieter. History[edit]The Exmouth area was visited by pearlers and whalers from the late 19th century. The area became a focus of attention during World War II, with the northwest of Australia considered to be under threat from Japanese invasion. Operation Potshot was launched in 1942 to establish a military base from bare earth, and the U.S. and Australian forces established bases in Exmouth Gulf. At one time up to 1000 U.S. servicemen were resident in the area, with a supporting airbase, anti-aircraft guns, and a radar unit installed. By 1943 the threat had eased and most of the troops were withdrawn, but the base was maintained as a forward airstrip with fuel supplies. The base eventually became what is today RAAF Learmonth. Permanent settlement of the region is relatively recent, with the first town established to support the U.S. Naval Communications Station in the 1960s. Australian naval forces now run the transmission station, and also have a base in Exmouth. Climate[edit]Exmouth is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, and has distinct wet and dry seasons. Rain is very rare in the months from May to December, with the highest rainfall in January-April. Get in[edit]By car[edit]By car, it is a very long drive from Perth or Broome (1270 km), or an extremely long drive to Darwin (3400 km). By plane[edit]
The car hire companies charge an additional fee of about $70-80 to drive a car out to the airport for you (although you only pay this once, even if you pick up and drop off at the airport). Daily free kilometre allowance ranges from 100 to 150, and is surprisingly easy to use up especially if you detour to Coral Bay. Alternatively there is a shuttle bus to Exmouth for $35pp which meets each flight - shuttles to Coral Bay are also available but must be arranged in advance. The airport terminal itself is bright and modern, and has a licenced cafe open for departing flights, and a small souvenir shop attached to it. Don't count on mobile phone reception at the airport when you arrive. By bus[edit]
Get around[edit]Even though the town is small and it is possible to go around on foot, everything is fairly spread out. Walking from one side of town to the next may prove a fair trek, especially in the summer. Car hire is available from Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget. Allens car hire is a local operator. See[edit][add listing]Do[edit][add listing]While Exmouth does not have much to offer in terms of nightlife or cosmopolitan atmosphere, the surrounding area is very unique. The ocean around Exmouth is teeming with life in the Ningaloo Reef, and the Cape Range National Park offers unique sights for landlubbers. Sea[edit]The Ningaloo Reef, near the Exmouth town, is sometimes less than a few hundred meters off the coast. Several small dive companies and resorts offer dive trips to various locations on the reef. There are many attractive dive sites not far off-shore in Lighthouse Bay (near Vlamingh Head lighthouse). Excursions are also offered to the Point Murat Navy Pier. It is only possible to dive the Pier with a licenced operator as a certified diver. Another popular diving destination are the Muiron Islands, approximately 7 nm off Point Murat. These islands are a natural reserve and a popular breeding grounds for sea turtles. The islands' coastline offers spectacular coral formations and an abundance of wildlife.
Land[edit]
Buy[edit][add listing]Frozen seafood is available only through the Independent Butcher at the IGA X-Press, and no longer through the Kailis outlet near the airport or Mall. Frozen (imported) seafood available through IGA. There are two dive shops selling equipment. There are two IGA supermarkets across from each other downtown. "Exmouth IGA" generally has more sales and stock quantity, but is also very cramped. "Ningaloo IGA X-Press" can be more expensive, have less stock and longer waiting times, but is more spacious. There is a good range between both shops, Exmouth IGA is open from 7am until 7pm 7 days, Ningaloo IGA Xpress 6.30am - 7.00pm Mon-Sat). NOTE: Neither IGA shops provide plastic shoppings bags, as an environmental initiative to SAVE the Turtles on Ningaloo Reef. Reusable bags available for purchase, but customers are encouraged to bring their own bags There is also a fashion boutique. There are ATM's cash withdrawals available in both IGA supermarkets, both shops allow for cash withdrawal through EFTPOS on Cheque and Savings accounts (Minimum $5 Spend). There is one main petrol station (Caltex/Starmart) on the main road (Murat Rd) and another fuel outlet on Nimitz St. The smaller outlet in Nimitz is usually cheaper by at least 1-2c/L, and is NOT self-serve. Even cheaper petrol can be found at the Lighthouse caravan park, about 15-20km north of the town (just before the lighthouse). Credit cards accepted. A complete self-service depot is available at the "Light Industrial Complex" about 10km south of Exmouth. Eat[edit][add listing]Take your pick of one of the restaurants in town, or one of the pubs. Bookings are a good idea at the restaurants during the season. There is a caravan out the back of the Potshot Hotel, which serves burgers and chips in the open air. There are a couple of take-away places and cafes. The Potshot hotel itself serves a very respectable curry, among a surprisingly varied menu. The petrol station has hot food, but you might think twice after catching a whiff of the frying oil. A Diner just behind looks more promising and advertises free wi-fi. Expect to pay a premium for eating out in Exmouth. Wages are high, and food costs expensive. A Chicken Parma which may cost you $15 in Perth may cost you $35 or more here. Drink[edit][add listing]There are several small pubs in Exmouth where it's possible to have a beer (or many). The Potshot Hotel holds a Friday-night disco in its "Bamboo-bar," which is lovingly known as the "Bimbo-bar" by the locals. This is the only night when anything happens in Exmouth, so you'll find everyone here usually on the far end of the intoxication spectrum. For this reason it is also highly advisable not to book any dive tours on Saturday mornings (tour operators will often run late, wobble and complain about mysterious headaches and food poisoning). Sleep[edit][add listing]Camping is prohibited outside of campgrounds and the national park. There are a number of campgrounds and caravan parks to choose from, including the Lighthouse out on the point. The Potshot resort has the most up-scale lodging downtown, offering motel-style rooms and apartments, but also budget rooms ($70) and backpacker dorm beds ($30). The newly built Novotel in the Marina area out of town is probably the most upscale in the area. There are many holiday villas and houses. The Osprey Villas are new, upscale villas. The Exmouth Villas are budget oriented. Both villas are rented through multiple agencies and owner websites. Stay safe[edit]Contact[edit]Mobile phone reception is patchy in the areas surrounding Exmouth. Only Telstra and Optus operate in the area, with Optus only having 2G services. The transmission is seemlngly from a tower to the north of town. Reception is non-existent at the airport to the south, there is good coverage around town, and areas to the north as far as the naval base, and then patchy reception further afield. Get out[edit]
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